S P O T L I G H T O N V I E T N A M

INTRODUCTION

Rishworth Aviation is proud to have worked closely with Vietnam Airlines (VAC) for over 12 years and has over 150 expatriate Pilots at the Airline.

At Vietnam Airlines, our pilots enjoy attractive terms

and career progression opportunities, as well as a great

location, an excellent lifestyle and schooling opportunities.

Vietnam Airlines continues to enjoy substantial growth

and enjoys a strong market position in South East Asia.

We would like to share with you some of our Pilots’ first

hand experiences and impressions of working at Vietnam

Airlines. They provide some insight into their way of life

and share what it is that they enjoy most about being on

contract with Rishworth Aviation in Vietnam. We hope that

this will give you a Pilot’s perspective of the great lifestyle

and work environment that you too can enjoy in Vietnam,

while supported by Rishworth Aviation.

RISHWORTH AVIATION’S PILOT SUPPORT GROUP

Supporting you while on contract is an absolute priority for us. Rishworth Aviation has an established Pilot Support Group (PSG) that offers you friendly, practical, on-the-ground support that you can call on 24 hours a day.

Our PSG Representatives are senior VAC Pilots living in

Vietnam who have a wealth of first-hand experience of

the contracting world and a passion for the wellbeing of

their fellow Pilots at VAC.

The PSG will meet with you on arrival in Vietnam to ensure

that you quickly adjust to the systems and protocols of

VAC as well as Vietnamese life in general. The PSG is

also available to give you general support and guidance

throughout the term of your contract at Vietnam Airlines.

We also have a highly experienced local Vietnamese

representative who works closely with Rishworth and the

PSG to support our Pilots – this can be particularly useful

when dealing with VAC, authorities or locals where speaking

the local language can help resolve matters quickly.

INTRODUCING OUR PILOTS WHO SHARE THEIR EXPERIENCE

Left: Pleiku Airport Terminal

Right: Vietnam Airlines logo

Hoan Kiem Lake, Hanoi

FEDERICO LOMBARDOA320 First Officer from Italy, Hanoi base, commuting, 6/2 roster pattern.

STEVEN HESELMANSA320 First Officer from Belgium, HCMC base, commuting, 6/2 roster pattern.

TOM CONARDA320 Captain from USA, HCMC base, commuting, 9/3 roster pattern. Lives in Vietnam with his wife.

CHRISTIAN SCHLOBOHMATR72 Captain/TRI from Germany, HCMC base, non-commuting, 8/2 roster pattern. Lives in Vietnam with his wife and 2 children (aged 3 years and newborn).

ROBERT PRINCEA320 Captain from USA, HCMC base, non-commuting, 10/2 roster pattern. Lives in Vietnam with his wife and children (aged 11 years and 7 years).

STARTING OUT What do you remember about your SIM check with Vietnam Airlines?

TC: Rishworth had everything in place...everything from the

hotel to directions on getting to the hotel, the sim building, etc.

Everything was very well planned, very well detailed. It was easy

for me to fly there and do what I needed to do. The screening

was quite straightforward. No nonsense. Perhaps this is a tribute

to Vietnam Airlines...but, I remember it being no nonsense. The

focus was on important things, not on touchy-feely stuff like so

many Human Resource people come up with. I also remember

that Rishworth was there to hold my hand, if needed, if any

problems. I really didn’t have any problems, but it was great to

know that help was just an e-mail or phone call away. The last

thing I remember, and perhaps the most important...was that

Rishworth honoured all its commitments to me.

Describe your arrival in Vietnam, first impressions and your experience at Ground school?

CS: Pick up at the airport was well organized as was the

accommodation. On check-in we received a letter with the

timetable for the next few days including a list of all other pilots

starting the same day. For all first-timers to Asia the city is

overwhelmingly chaotic but everyone got used to it very quick.

RP: Ground school was enjoyable, nice instructors and classmates.

First impressions of Vietnam were that it is a very busy city. The

traffic needs to be seen as it is too hard to describe accurately.

FL: If it is your first time in Vietnam it is a little bit of a shock for

the first couple of days, but then you get used to it. The ground

school was good.

How did you find the Rishworth Pilot Support Group (PSG) welcome evening in your first week?

TC: I really appreciated the help I received from Rishworth’s pilot

support representative. The transition from flying for a legacy

carrier in the US to becoming a contract pilot was smooth

thanks to the support I received from Rishworth.

SH: The PSG meeting was very valuable where Randy and Rick

briefed the “do’s” and “don’ts” in Vietnam and VAC. Personally a

must to attend for anyone who hasn’t been to Vietnam!

FL: I didn’t manage to attend the welcome evening, but Randy

invited me over to his house a couple of times and introduced

me to everything I needed to know. It was really helpful!

“THE VIETNAMESE PILOTS ARE RESPECTFUL AND COMPETENT, BUT MORE TO THE POINT, MANY HAVE BECOME MY VERY CLOSE FRIENDS.”Tom Conard, A320 Captain, Vietnam Airlines

Left: Pilot apartment, HCMC

Right: Phu Cat Airport

Left: VAC crew lounge in HCMC

Right: Pool at Sheraton Hotel, Hanoi

Rice paddies, Vietnam

THE JOB AND THE FLYING

What is it like to work for VAC? What do you enjoy most?

SH: Working for VAC is an absolute plus. The steady fees and rotation

possibilities definitely contribute; also the ability to fly NPA’s and

PA’s with expats and locals is a mind-broadening experience.

RP: When working we fly a lot but this is balanced with the

rotation time off. I enjoy the time off in two week periods as it

gives us an opportunity to do some travel here.

FL: On my side, it was the support that I had. It was great before

I started with the RAL team in the office and then in Vietnam

with Randy [Pilot Support Group representative], which is really

important when you go to places like Vietnam.

What roster pattern are you on and how many hours do you fly each month?

CS: I started on a 6/2 roster pattern but soon changed to an 8/2

roster pattern, I’m not commuting as my family live with me in

HCMC, so I don’t need so much vacation. I fly around 50 block

hours per month.

RP: I started on a 6/2 roster pattern but changed this in December

to a 10/ 2 pattern as my family now live here in HCMC with me.

My monthly flight hours vary, around Tet [the Vietnamese New

Year] I flew a lot but now I average about 80 hours per month.

TC: I work a 9/3 roster pattern. This is because the travel to my

home in the US is so far. My monthly roster varies a little. Last

year I flew approximately 775 hours due to the high growth rate

of the airline. Prior to taking this assignment, my wife and I had

never been to this part of the world. It’s great to be able to travel

and see Asia. So, we do a little of both. We enjoy seeing our family

and friends in the US, but we also enjoy the opportunities for

other travel as well.

SH: My current roster is 6/2 with an average monthly flight time

of 70 hours. I commute home during my 2 weeks off so I can be

with my family on a regular basis.

FL: I am on a 6/2 roster pattern and I commute home during

my time off.

Robert Prince, A320 Captain, Vietnam Airlines

“RISHWORTH WAS A kNOWN NAME IN THE INDUSTRY WITH A VERY GOOD REPUTATION AND VAC OFFERED ME THE OPPORTUNITY TO IMPROVE MY FINANCIAL POSITION WITH TIME OFF IN A PART OF THE WORLD THAT MY FAMILY AND I WOULD LIkE TO TRAVEL IN.”

How do you find flying with local flight crew?

RP: The Vietnamese pilots I work with are friendly and eager to help.

TC: The Vietnamese pilots are respectful and competent, but more to

the point, many have become my very close friends.

Why did you decide to join Vietnam Airlines through Rishworth Aviation?

CS: Initially I contacted all agencies but RAL was the most cooperative

partner and after 11 years with my previous employer I needed a

change and wanted to work in Asia.

RP: RAL was a known name in the industry with a very good

reputation and VAC offered me the opportunity to improve my

financial position with time off in a part of the world that my family

and I would like to travel in.

TC: In my opinion, Rishworth is the leader in contract flying, especially

for Asian assignments. Frankly, between the major agencies, the

contract terms differ little. The support I get from Rishworth is great.

It’s the way an agency should be. At VAC the money is good. The

rotation pattern is excellent. The Vietnamese people and the culture

are incredible. Here, I’m treated like a guest, not like an employee.

SH: A friend and good colleague advised me to choose RAL. The

VAC rotation pattern (which can be changed) together with fees &

upgrade possibilities, as well as the location were deciding factors

for me.

Left: ATR72 parked at Pleiku

Right: Phu Cat runway 15

Left: Roni Conard on a charity trip in Cambodia

Right: RAL Pilot Support Reps Randy and Rick at our RAL function

Cao Dai Temple near HCMC

THE LIFESTYLE

What type of accommodation did you choose, where and why?

FL: I am based in Hanoi. I live near the Sheraton, I chose that area because there is a

pick up point at the Sheraton and it is a nice area to live, quite safe with many facilities

around it.

SH: I live in Thao Dien, District 2 where it is quiet and nice. The commute to and from the

airport by taxi takes about 25 minutes depending on the traffic.

TC: We have a really nice apartment not too far from the airport. However, it is also

conveniently located for my wife to travel to all areas of the city as well. Apartments

are virtually everywhere and prices vary. It’s important to find a place you love to come

home to.

CS: We’ve started out at Phu Nhuan Tower but will move after a year or so to Saigon

Pearl or similar, somewhere in-between everything and reasonably priced.

RP: District 7 area. There is a variety of shops and restaurants and businesses that cater

to the expat community. It is a great area for families as there is less traffic and noise.

There are a lot more open spaces for kids too.

Was it easy to get set up in Vietnam, find accommodation, cell phones, shops and services needed?

TC: It is quite easy to find suitable accommodation. Usually the Rishworth pilot support

representatives provide valuable help in this area. We found our apartment through a

local agent, they advertise on the internet as well as local publications. It’s quite easy

and painless to ‘get set up’ here.

CS: Finding accommodation is very easy using one of the many agents, but finding the

right location is more tricky.

RP: I hired an agent to help me find accommodation, I would highly recommend it as

they have an intimate knowledge of the various districts in HCMC. There are also various

expat online groups in HCMC that are great resources like Phu My Hung neighbours and

An Phu neighbours – members have all sorts of information, anything from where to buy

a printer to where the local post office is, or who is coming to Vietnam to play a concert,

they are really helpful.

SH: Like everywhere else, it takes some driving around and some finding out.

Most things are very straight forward.

FL: It was really easy. I found accommodation through some friends, although there are

many agencies that could help new pilots to find accommodation.

How is your family enjoying and adapting to life in Vietnam?

TC: For my wife, Roni, the first thing she did was to join the International Ladies in

Vietnam (ILV). It’s a social organization for women here in Ho Chi Minh City. Their

current membership is over 400 women who come from all over the world including

Vietnam. Not only has she made life-long friends, but also received help in adapting

to her new life in Vietnam.

Roni: I arrived about two months after Tom’s arrival due to teaching commitments. I

recommend that the family come and that they come as soon as possible. It was easy to

blend into the community here once I found the ILV and a church and I also found charity

work to do. It probably took me about a month to settle in, but I’m very adaptable and

have moved a lot during my life. I do charity work that is very rewarding, I play Mahjong

and am a member of two book clubs. Shopping is great; prices are so reasonable. Tom

and I usually relax by seeing a movie or going out with friends, we also enjoy travelling

around Vietnam and this side of the world and there are all kinds of entertainment. For

more information on ILV please visit: www.ilvietnam.com

CS: My wife Claudia joined me a few months into the contract, after having a look first

and deciding that she wanted to move. We have a lot of time together as a family.

Claudia: I found it easy to settle into Vietnam, it took us around 3 months to

get everything sorted and we enjoy spending time at the pool and meeting up

with friends.

RP: My family moved here at the end of December 2010…

Niamh: The kids and I relocated to Vietnam 6 months into the contract.

I think it is worth waiting a while before relocating as it gives ones spouse an opportunity

to settle in and find their way around before the family arrives. It is definitely a plus that

one member of the family knows their way around. I think a lot of settling in depends

on where you come from originally. We are from a small community in the Pacific

Northwest of the USA so the adjustment to the noise and traffic has been a little more

challenging for us. We enjoy playing in the pool of the apartment building which I think

is really important for a family with kids. We’ve enjoyed shopping in the city and just

generally observing life here in HCMC. We enjoy spending time with other expat families

living in Vietnam...and the ILV is another great way to meet people, they meet every

Thursday at the Rex Hotel.

What has been your impression of living in Vietnam so far?

TC: The Vietnamese people are warm and friendly, very humble. We are treated as guests.

Some of our closest friends here in Vietnam are Vietnamese locals. Vietnam is a safe place

to live. The weather is great. The people are great. There are many wonderful restaurants.

Shopping is superb. There is always something fun and interesting to do here in the city.

We do miss our family back in the US, but honestly at the end of our rotation, we look

forward to coming ‘home’ to Vietnam.

RP: The Vietnamese are friendly and engaging. They are anxious to meet foreigners to

practice the English they have learned at school. Any difficulties I have had at the store

or market have been resolved with a paper and pen or a pocket Vietnamese/English

dictionary! Living in HCMC can be challenging with the noise and overcrowding but on

the other side of that is great shopping, restaurants and a busy nightlife scene. HCMC

is buzzing at night time!

SH: I find the Vietnamese people to be very kind people who are eager to help you

and the thing I enjoy most about living in Vietnam is the lifestyle.

FL: The people are nice and they work and think in their own way. I enjoy the people

most of all.

Left: Vietnam markets

Right: ATR72 at Pleiku Left: Vietnam scooters

Right: Mekong Delta, Vietnam

Ha Long Bay, Vietnam

THE RISHWORTH PILOT SUPPORT REPRESENTATIVES Randy – pilot.support.randy@gmail.com

I began working for Rishworth in 2004. Prior to this I worked mainly on holiday

charter contracts throughout Europe and the USA. I am really enjoying my

position on the Rishworth Pilot Support team. It’s a lot of fun meeting and

assisting all the new crews coming on board. Living and working in Vietnam

has been a very educational experience. When I’m not on the job, I can usually

be found out on my bike or at some nearby beach resort.

Rick – pilot.support.rick@gmail.com

I began with Rishworth in 2000 as an A320 Line Captain in Vietnam, and

recently made the transition to Captain the A330. I have travelled to most

countries in this part of the world and have lived and worked in more than

13 countries in South East Asia, Europe and the Americas. I have command

ratings on both Airbus and Boeing and more than 30 years aviation

experience – the last 14 years of which have been for Vietnam Airlines. I

really enjoy working as a member of the Pilot Support team, greeting new

recruits and helping pilots adjust to the ‘Vietnamese way’. I also enjoy travel,

golf, night life, food and beer.

Trung – trungnt@tichgiang.com

Xin Chao. It has been my great pleasure to work with Rishworth Aviation

since 2002 as the Vietnam Representative. I am proud of having welcomed

hundreds of pilots to come and work in Vietnam from all over the world.

U P G R A D E / C O N V E R S I O N OPPORTUNITIESUpgrade/conversion opportunities through Rishworth Aviation at Vietnam Airlines

Vietnam Airlines does consider expat crews for upgrade and conversion

opportunities to suit its operational demands from time to time. In the

last year, Rishworth has had 11 crew members selected for upgrade and

conversion opportunities at the airline.

To date, VAC has approved upgrades/conversions for A320 FO’s to Captains,

B777 FO’s to A320 Captains, A320 Captains to A330 Captains and ATR72

Captains to A320 Captains. There are also opportunities to upgrade to TRI or

TRE on some fleets.

The selection of crew for an upgrade opportunity is at the discretion of

Vietnam Airlines and is dealt with on a case by case basis. While we cannot

guarantee any particular upgrade opportunity at the airline, opportunities

do exist for the right candidates.

THE VIETNAM AIRLINES OPPORTUNITY Vietnam Airlines is the national flag carrier of Vietnam and in 2010 it became the first Southeast Asian member of the SkyTeam global airline alliance.

Vietnam Airlines boasts a fleet of approximately 70 aircraft, with plans to

expand this number to 100 over the coming years.

Due to Vietnam Airlines’ long term growth plans, Rishworth Aviation is

currently recruiting type-rated pilots on a range of Next Generation Boeing

and Airbus fleet types including A320, A330 and ATR72 aircraft.

Vietnam Airlines currently has the following international destinations on

its network (among others): Moscow, Frankfurt, Paris, Tokyo, Seoul, Sydney,

Melbourne, Beijing, Bangkok, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Taipei, Kaosiung,

Hong Kong, Siem Reap, Vientiane, Phnom Penh, London (from Dec 2011)

with USA destinations planned for the future.

Vietnam Airlines crew applications are currently being processed by

Rishworth Aviation for ongoing confirmed screenings throughout 2011.

A word from Vietnam Airlines

“RISHWORTH AVIATION HAS PROVED HIGHLY COMPETENT IN PROVIDING HIGH qUALITY CANDIDATES WHO WE ARE PLEASED TO HAVE REPRESENT OUR AIRLINES.

THEY HAVE DEVELOPED EXCELLENT RELATIONSHIPS WITH OUR OWN PERSONNEL AND WITH THEIR CONTRACTORS, ENSURING THAT THE PILOTS ARE HAPPY WITH THEIR CONTRACT AND ARE PERFORMING WELL FOR VIETNAM AIRLINES.

IT IS WITH THE GREATEST PLEASURE THAT WE HIGHLY RECOMMEND RISHWORTH.”

Captain Hoang Van Manh, Chief Pilot, Vietnam Airlines

If you are interested in looking at the Vietnam Airlines opportunity or just learning some more about working there, please contact one of our team who will be happy to help you with your queries. Alternatively, please go directly to our website to register your interest and apply online: www.rishworthaviation.com

WHAT NEXT...

ANGELA HOGGSenior Consultant

angela.hogg@rishworthaviation.com

Phone: +64 9 302 0080

Skype: angela.hogg.ral

Web: www.rishworthaviation.com

I have spent much of my time at Rishworth Aviation working closely with our pilots and airline clients in the Vietnamese market, which I thoroughly enjoy. I have a legal background and have also spent time in various areas of the hotel industry. I love to travel and enjoy meeting and dealing with people from all parts of the globe.

JASON COCHRANERegional Director

jason.cochrane@rishworthaviation.com

Phone: +64 9 374 0763

Skype: jascochrane

Web: www.rishworthaviation.com

Prior to joining Rishworth I was heavily involved in the logistics field and exporting fields. I greatly enjoy the outdoors and spend a lot of spare time fishing, diving and hunting. I enjoy travelling and look forward to meeting all the people who make our business a success.

LEANNE BOGGSRecruitment Consultant

leanne.boggs@rishworthaviation.com

Phone: +64 9 302 0080

Skype: leanne.boggs.ral

Web: www.rishworthaviation.com

Since joining Rishworth Aviation, I have been lucky enough to work across most of our contracts in the Asia-Pacific region. I have enjoyed learning about the exciting aviation industry and my focus is now on recruitment for Vietnam Airlines.

NGUYEN TIEN TRUNGVietnam Representative

trung@tichgiang.com

Web: www.rishworthaviation.com

RICHARD NARDINEPilot Support Representative

pilot.support.rick@gmail.com

Web: www.rishworthaviation.com

RANDY COURSOLLEPilot Support Representative

pilot.support.randy@gmail.com

Web: www.rishworthaviation.com

Vietnamese Cyclo